"Arre!" Shashwat yelped.

Reyansh groaned, sitting up groggily. "Kya hua?"

"Andar fas gaya hoon, darwaza lock ho gaya!"

Reyansh got out of bed, stretching before walking over. He pulled at the handle, but it wouldn’t budge.

"Arre, yeh toh sach me lock ho gaya hai!"

Shashwat banged on the door from inside. "Agar tu mujhe bahar nahi nikalne wala, toh main andar se tod dunga!"

Just as he managed to unlock it, the weight of the door swung forward—and both of them tumbled out, landing in a tangled heap on the floor.

And—because the universe had a cruel sense of humor—Harsh entered at that exact moment.

He stopped.

His face paled.

For the third time, Harsh bore witness to something that looked EXTREMELY inappropriate.

A thick silence settled.

Harsh blinked. "Main… main bas… kuch nahi..”

Reyansh and Shashwat separated like their lives depended on it.

After a long and eventful day, everyone was finally preparing to sleep. The hotel room was bustling with chatter as people sorted out their sleeping arrangements. Bags were being unpacked, pillows fluffed, and the general chaos of a large group settling in for the night filled the air.

"Reyansh, Shashwat, Akash… tum teeno ek room me so jao," Kirti announced while organizing the extra blankets.

Reyansh, lounging lazily on the bed, yawned. "Kya yaar, mujhe toh akela sona tha."

"Tu sapne dekh band kar aur chupp chaap chal," Shashwat smirked, adjusting his watch.

Meanwhile, Harsh, who had been watching the whole scene with narrowed eyes, suddenly spoke up.

"Akash beta, tu beech me sona."

A beat of silence followed. Everyone turned to look at Harsh, eyebrows raised in confusion.

Akash frowned, "Kyun?"

Harsh, caught off guard by the direct question, quickly scrambled for an excuse. "Wo… bas aise hi. Tum neend me gir na jao!" he said hastily.

Akash looked even more confused. "Main kyun girunga? Main toh ekdum stable sota hoon."

Shashwat, leaning against the wall with a knowing smirk, chimed in, "Nahi uncle, ye nahi girta… Reyansh hi jyada girta hai."

The moment those words left Shashwat’s mouth, Harsh’s eyes widened in absolute horror.

"Ye bhi pata chal gaya?!" he muttered under his breath, his face pale with realization.

Reyansh, blissfully unaware of Harsh’s internal turmoil, threw a pillow at Shashwat. "Bakwaas mat kar, main nahi girta!"

But Harsh was no longer paying attention. His mind was running at a hundred miles per hour.

Taking a deep breath, he turned back to Akash, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Bas tum beech me sona. Aur jo bhi ho, apni jagah se hilna mat!" Harsh ordered, as if preparing Akash for some battle.

Akash, now feeling more confused than ever, simply nodded hesitantly.

Harsh gave one last long glance at Reyansh and Shashwat, who were now arguing over who takes the window side, before walking away, muttering to himself.

*"Kisne socha tha… beta-bahu ke jagah damaad ghar lekar aayega…"

As he disappeared into the corridor, Shashwat and Reyansh both looked at each other, puzzled.

*****************************************

The next morning, excitement buzzed through the air as everyone prepared for their trip to Vaishno Devi. The hotel was filled with the aroma of fresh tea, chatter, and the sound of hurried footsteps.

Across the room, Naman was busy preparing tea for everyone before they left. The scent of cardamom and ginger filled the space as he poured steaming chai into small cups, ensuring everyone got a sip before the long journey.

Naman stepped out of the kitchen, stretching his arms with a satisfied yawn before looking around.

"Chai ban gayi. Darsh, jaa ke lekar aa sabke liye," he instructed casually, his voice carrying over the light morning chatter.

Darsh, who had been holding up his phone and adjusting angles to click his own pictures, groaned dramatically at the sudden disruption.

"Ughh, mujhe hi kyun bhej rahe ho?" he whined, lowering his phone with visible reluctance.

Without even glancing up from her phone, where she was checking the hotel bookings for their brief stay at Katra, Ritika added, "Divya, jaa ke nashta bhi nikalva de." Her tone was dismissive, focused more on her screen than the request itself.

At the sound of her name, Divya’s head shot up, an immediate scowl forming on her face.

"Mai kyun? Tumhe kuch bhi kaam bol do bas!" she grumbled, crossing her arms defiantly.

Darsh smirked, sensing an opportunity to tease her further. He reached out, placing his palm against the back of his own head in a lazy manner before pushing her forward with his elbow.

"Chal chal, nakhre mat dikha!" he said, effortlessly maneuvering her toward the kitchen.

Divya let out an exaggerated groan, stumbling forward as she swatted his arm away. "Aaa, Darsh! Sade huye baigan ke keede, chhod mereko!" she snapped, throwing him an exasperated glare.

The group in the hall collectively rolled their eyes at their usual bickering but made no move to intervene.

Once inside the kitchen, the playful banter momentarily faded, replaced by the quiet hum of morning activity. Darsh automatically reached for the tea strainer, pouring the freshly brewed chai into cups one by one, while Divya began setting out plates and arranging the breakfast.

The clinking of cups and the rustling of packets filled the air, but beneath the surface of the mundane task, Divya’s mind was anything but calm.

She stole a glance at him, hesitating, her fingers brushing over the edge of the countertop. The question she had been wrestling with all night lingered at the tip of her tongue, threatening to spill out, yet something held her back.

She shifted her gaze downward, her thoughts swirling uncontrollably.

‘Should I ask him?’

The uncertainty gnawed at her, making her fingers absentmindedly reach out—only she wasn’t paying attention.

Before she could even register the danger, her hand unknowingly moved towards the hot pan of tea.

And then—a firm grip.

Darsh’s fingers wrapped securely around her wrist in a flash, his grip protective yet careful, his touch sending an unexpected jolt up her arm.

"Dhyan se!" His voice, though not loud, held an unmistakable urgency.

Divya froze, her wide eyes snapping to his face before flickering down to their hands—the point of contact where warmth radiated through her skin.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Neither of them spoke.

Darsh’s fingers remained around her wrist, his gaze now lowered as well, his expression momentarily unreadable. And then it happened again—that same unexplainable feeling.

The air around them seemed to shift, the weight of the moment pressing into the silence between them.

Realizing what had just happened, Divya pulled her hand back swiftly, her heart pounding a little too fast for her liking. She took a small step away, pretending to busy herself with the breakfast, even though her mind was still stuck on the way his touch had lingered longer than necessary.

Darsh, on the other hand, blinked as if coming out of a trance. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, suddenly feeling the heat creeping up his neck. Without another word, he turned his attention back to the tea cups, his fingers working methodically, though his mind was still reeling.

"Ahmm... Darsh?" Her voice was softer than usual, a rare uncertainty lacing her tone.

Darsh, who had just finished pouring the last cup of tea, hummed in response without looking up. "Hmm?" His focus remained on the cups as he wiped the stray drops of tea from the countertop with deliberate ease, seemingly unaware of the storm brewing in her mind.

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before finally voicing the question that had been nagging at her.

"Wo... who is this Anshika?" She asked, trying to sound casual, but the slight edge in her voice betrayed her curiosity.

At the mention of the name, a flicker of amusement crossed Darsh’s face, though he quickly bit down on his lower lip, trying to suppress the smirk threatening to break free. Slowly, he turned to face her, his expression carefully schooled into one of mild confusion.

"Anshika?? Arre, wo… hamari class me hai na ek Anshika Chaudhary?" He said, tilting his head slightly, as if he was genuinely trying to recall the name.

Divya narrowed her eyes at him, her suspicion deepening. Something about his tone, the way he was trying too hard to act clueless, only fueled her doubts further. Crossing her arms, she took a small step closer, her eyes scanning his face for any sign of deception.

"How are you so sure that she is the one writing you letters?" She questioned, her voice firmer this time.

Darsh leaned against the counter, placing one elbow on the surface while his other hand casually rubbed the back of his neck. His lips twitched as he suppressed another smirk, but his eyes betrayed the playful glint that always appeared when he was enjoying himself a little too much.

"She told me her name." He replied nonchalantly, shrugging as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Divya’s frown deepened. Something about his response didn’t sit right with her.

"Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? Tum jhoot keh rahe ho!" She almost yelled, frustration creeping into her voice as she took a step closer, her narrowed gaze fixated on him.

Darsh, amused by her reaction, rubbed his nose in an attempt to hide his growing smile. He then schooled his features into an innocent, slightly confused expression, blinking at her as if he had no idea why she was reacting so strongly.

"Kyun nahi ho sakta? And how are you so sure about that?" He asked, arching a brow as he leaned in slightly, his head tilting to the side in mock curiosity.

Divya’s lips parted as she opened her mouth to respond, but the words didn’t come immediately. She faltered for a second before crossing her arms over her chest, shifting on her feet as she gathered her thoughts.

"W…wo Anshika… she isn’t the ‘one-man woman’ type, na?" She said, her tone laced with urgency, as if she needed him to understand. "Tumne hi dekha tha uss din… usne teen friends ko saath me date kiya tha. Aur class me kitna hungama hua tha jab teeno ko pata chala toh!"

Darsh chuckled under his breath, shaking his head slightly.

"Toh kya hua? Saccha wala pyaar nahi ho sakta kya usse?" He countered, his lips quirking up in amusement.

Divya threw her hands up in frustration, her eyes widening as she looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

"Aise hi nahi hota hai!" She exclaimed, before lowering her voice slightly. "Aane se pehle hi I saw her kissing her best friend’s boyfriend."

Her words had barely left her lips when Darsh’s smirk widened, his expression growing even more entertained. He let out a low whistle, shaking his head slightly.

"So… you’re sure ye Anshika nahi?" He asked, his tone deliberately slow, drawing out the words as he studied her reaction.

"Nahi." She stated with absolute certainty, shaking her head. "How could she? Usse pata bhi nahi hai ki tu yahan pe hai." Her voice was laced with conviction, as if she was trying to hammer the fact into his stubborn head.

Darsh, on the other hand, didn’t seem fazed in the slightest. If anything, his amusement only grew, and before she could blink, he leaned in ever so slightly, his gaze playful yet sharp, as if he was dissecting every little movement of hers.

"Woh toh tere alawa kisiko bhi nahi pata!" He mused, his voice slow, deliberate, almost teasing. Then, his lips curled into a smirk as he cocked an eyebrow. "Toh kahin tu hi toh nahi?"

The words struck like a bolt of lightning, making Divya’s eyes widen in sheer disbelief. For a moment, she simply gaped at him, her mind struggling to process what he had just suggested.

"K…kya? Kuch bhi!" She stammered, her hands flailing slightly before she quickly crossed her arms over her chest in defense. "M…mai…mai kaise? Mai kyun?" Her voice kept rising in pitch, her panic evident, and Darsh had to bite down on his lower lip to stop himself from outright laughing.

"Dimag kharab hai kya?" She finally blurted out, her cheeks turning a shade darker, and Darsh simply nodded as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Haan." He replied smoothly, tilting his head, his grin never wavering. "Bhadak kyun rahi?" His voice dropped just a fraction, his eyes watching her intently, as if he was waiting for her to slip up. Then, as if delivering the final blow, he added, "Vaise bhi, I know it’s my Anshika."

That was it. That was the final straw.

Divya let out an incredulous scoff, rolling her eyes so hard that she could practically see the ceiling.

"Bhaad me jaa uske saath, bewakoof kahin ka!" She snapped, turning around sharply. In one swift motion, she grabbed the tray of breakfast, her movements rough and exaggerated, making it clear just how annoyed she was.

But she wasn’t done yet. As she turned, she made sure to ‘accidentally’ stomp on his foot, her lips twitching in satisfaction when she felt the impact. However, when she glanced back, expecting to see him wince or at least react, she was met with nothing but his unwavering gaze still locked onto her.

Darsh didn’t flinch. He didn’t even budge. Instead, his smirk widened, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief as he watched her storm off, her irritation only fueling his amusement.

As she disappeared into the hall, muttering curses under her breath, Darsh let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. He exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair before picking up the tray of tea.

"One more step closer…" He murmured under his breath, his fingers tapping lightly against the tray. Then, a knowing smirk stretched across his lips as he whispered to himself, "Bas 2-3 din… and after that I will play my last move.”

Harsh, who had been waiting impatiently for his tea, finally let out an exaggerated sigh, looking towards Darsh and Divya as they walked in. "Wahin pe Mahabharat shuru kar di thi kya? Itna late kon lagata hai? Chai thandi na ho gayi ho." His voice held mock annoyance, making a few heads turn towards them with mild interest.

Darsh, as usual, just grinned, not even bothering to reply, while Divya rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath before taking her seat.

Among the scattered group, Reyansh and Arushi had claimed the sofa, sitting directly across from each other. The soft morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room, making everything feel calm despite the ongoing chatter.

Arushi, like the others, had her phone in one hand, scrolling absentmindedly as she sipped her tea with the other. Her cup made a soft clinking sound as she placed it down on the glass table beside another identical cup. Distractedly, she reached out to grab it again after taking a small bite of her food.

Just as her fingers were about to wrap around the handle, another hand smoothly slid in, intercepting hers.

Her breath hitched slightly as her gaze lifted, only to meet Reyansh’s smug expression. His fingers curled around the cup—her cup—his eyes glinting with undeniable mischief as he lifted it effortlessly.

Before she could protest, he brought the cup to his lips. But it wasn’t just that—he deliberately turned it so that his lips pressed right over the faint lipstick stain she had left moments ago.

A sharp breath escaped her lips as warmth spread across her face. Her fingers twitched as she clenched her fist, glaring at him with wide eyes, but all Reyansh did was wink at her before taking a slow, unhurried sip, as if savoring the moment.

Her cheeks burned hotter, and she instinctively looked around, but thankfully, everyone else was too lost in their own world to notice what had just happened.

Still holding onto the cup, Reyansh leaned back against the sofa, his expression entirely too pleased with himself. He casually picked up his own cup from the table, extending it towards her without a single word.

The silent message was clear.

He wasn’t going to return her cup back.

Arushi bit her lip, her heart hammering in her chest. Her fingers itched to snatch the cup from his hands, but that would only draw attention. Instead, she clenched her jaw, narrowing her eyes at him.

Reyansh simply smirked, raising the cup once again as if to toast, before taking another slow sip, his gaze never leaving hers.

Arushi swallowed, pressing her palms against her lap, forcing herself to look away before she completely lost her composure.

The group had finally settled inside the bus, their excitement buzzing in the air as they prepared for the journey ahead. It wasn't just any regular bus—it was a distinctive double-decker, the kind that added a touch of adventure to their trip. The upper deck had large windows that offered a panoramic view of the road ahead, while the lower deck had plush seats arranged for maximum comfort. Some had taken seats upstairs, eager to enjoy the view, while others stayed below, chatting animatedly.

As the bus started moving, a nostalgic feeling swept over Arushi, making her sigh dramatically. "Ham saath saath hain movie wali feeling aa rahi hai," she mused, hugging her knees as she looked around at everyone.

Siya, ever the dramatic one, instantly picked up on her words. "Haan, uss song jaise…" she trailed off before suddenly breaking into an exaggerated singing voice, ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWYXWZ!" She sang in a playful rhythm, making a few heads turn with confusion.

Before anyone could question her, Shashwat, sitting just a few seats away, smirked and smoothly completed the famous line, "I love you."

The bus seemed to pause for a second, or at least, that’s how it felt to Siya. Her head snapped toward Shashwat, her eyes widening in pure shock. The way he had just said those three words so effortlessly, in front of everyone, made her face heat up.

He, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered, as if he had merely completed the lyrics without any hidden intention. His expression was one of pure innocence, his lips slightly pursed as if he had done nothing out of the ordinary. But his eyes—oh, his eyes held a glint of mischief that only Siya could catch.

Her breath hitched, and a soft blush crept onto her cheeks. She quickly looked away, pretending to be interested in the view outside the window, but the teasing smiles around her made it obvious that no one had missed what just happened.

Before anyone could comment, Ritika clapped her hands excitedly. "Isse yaad aaya, let's play Antakshari!" she suggested, her enthusiasm breaking the moment.

Darsh groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. "Yaar, yeh bahot purana ho gaya hai," he complained, shifting in his seat.

Siya, never one to let an opportunity pass, immediately turned to him with a smirk. "Purana toh tu bhi ho gaya hai 23 saal ka… terko phek den yahin se?" she quipped, making everyone laugh.

Darsh gasped, clutching his chest as if she had personally attacked his soul. "Oye! Yeh toh bohot zyada ho gaya!" he exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief.

Piyush, who had been listening quietly, shook his head in disappointment. "Sach mein… tum bacchon ko Antakshari ki importance hi nahi samajh aati. This is an evergreen game. Kabhi purana nahi hota," he declared, as if he was giving a TED Talk on the cultural significance of Antakshari.

Arushi, still giggling from the earlier